Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambican authorities have, since Friday, issued 1,026 fines and seized 288 driving licenses and 67 registration documents, as part of a Road Safety Action Plan aiming to curb the high accident rates in the country, according to an official source.
“Among the fined contraventions, it is noted with concern that motorists continue to speed, with 227 fines, and drive under the influence of alcohol, with 167 fines and respective licenses seized. Overcrowding attracted 64 fines, and lack of compatible driving license saw 42 drivers fined, among other irregularities,” reads a statement from the National Institute of Road Transport (Inatro).
During the same time period, at least six people died, in the same number of traffic accidents, and 13 people were seriously injured.
“From the analysis carried out, it is assumed that the above-mentioned traffic accidents were caused by irregular crossing of vehicles [overtaking], excessive speed and driving against the flow of traffic,” the document also reads.
On April 15, the Mozambican government approved a Road Safety Action Plan, an instrument that aims to curb the high accident rates.
The plan includes a series of actions to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the country, including increased inspections, changes to legislation and interventions in points considered “critical”, as well as raising awareness in communities.
The instrument also includes the construction of a post-accident care centre as a pilot project in the district of Manhiça, Maputo province, one of the areas with the highest accident rates in the country.
Road accident rates in Mozambique are classified as dramatic by several organizations.
The authorities have pointed to speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol as the main causes.
The country recorded more than 4,800 deaths in road accidents in five years, according to data released by the government in May, 2024. Society involvement is seen as central to stopping the scourge.
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